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24 April 2 & 3, 2016 FEATURE 75 Years
of Airpower
75TH ANNIVERSARY OF TUSKEGEE AIRMEN
The 75th anniversary of the legendary ics, ground crew, air traffic controllers, &RXUWHV\SKRWRV
Tuskegee Airmen of World War II celebra- meteorologists, nurses, stenographers,
tion was March 24 at Luke Air Force Base. armorers and other support personnel barriers of racial inequality. Neverthe-
The Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter established the first black combat avia- less, these great patriots immersed
of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., joined the na- tion unit trained at Tuskegee Army Air themselves in making their communities,
tional and international celebration and Field, Alabama, and other locations. towns and cities better places in which to
also announced its 10th anniversary and live. They excelled as businessmen, doc-
the 3rd annual Tuskegee Airmen Com- Four hundred and fifty pilots served tors, educators, and lawyers, and a host of
memoration Day in Arizona. overseas in the 332nd Fighter Group other endeavors. Tuskegee Airman Cole-
comprised of the 99th, 100th, 301st and man Young served as Mayor of Detroit
More than 50 Tuskegee Airmen chap- 302nd pursuit squadrons. These aviators for 20 years. Others held key roles in
ters are established nationwide with a flew more than 15,000 sorties, destroyed government at the city, state and national
two-fold purpose: To honor the accom- or damaged over 400 enemy aircraft, level. Sixteen Tuskegee Airmen had ties
plishments of those who trained and destroyed more than 1,000 military tar- to Arizona; eight surviving members still
performed as Tuskegee Airmen during gets and sunk an enemy destroyer. This reside in the state.
World War II and inspire youth to out- record is unequalled by any other unit in
standing achievements and leadership the history of American combat. Of the President George W. Bush presented
through social and educational activities Tuskegee Airmen, 66 lost their lives and the Congressional Gold Medal to approxi-
in science, technology, engineering, math 32 spent time as prisoners-of-war. Their mately 300 surviving Tuskegee Airmen
and the arts. awards included a Legion of Merit, Silver or widows of deceased Tuskegee Airmen
Star, 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, on March 29, 2007, at the U.S. Capitol
During the past ten years, ARAC Avia- 744 Air Medals, 14 Bronze Stars and eight rotunda in Washington, D.C.
tion Cadet Program has reached more Purple Hearts.
than 300 young people and provided Gov. Janice Brewer signed SB1128
over 200 orientation flights. Through Despite the outstanding performance into law April 4, 2013, making the fourth
its partnerships with the Experimental of the Tuskegee Airmen during WWII, Thursday in March the Tuskegee Airmen
Aircraft Association and other aviation they continued to face the persistent Commemoration Day, the only state in
organizations, these students have been the nation to do so.
exposed to flying units, flight simulations,
and aerospace facilities at airports, and Courtesy of ARAC
military bases.
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The first African American aviation
unit began in March 1941 with the activa-
tion of the U.S. Army Air Corps 99th Pur-
suit Squadron at Chanute Field, Illinois.
The first aviation cadet class began in
July of that year and completed training
in March 1942.
From 1942 through 1946, more than
16,000 men and women participated in
the “Tuskegee Experience,” including
approximately 996 pilots. Navigators,
bombardiers, gunnery crews, mechan-
